We are ready to roll! – Are you ready to rock your students’ ideas about science?

Schools across the valley are starting and we are ready to go. Mike McDevitt has spent the summer working the bugs out of many of the Chemistry experiments. He already has some van visits scheduled but still has plenty of room on his calendar. Call or e-mail to schedule for your class. The biology van has been purchased and is sitting here at Science in Motion waiting for a mobile educator (see below). Once we find the right person we should be up and running in no time. We will be equipped to do biology and biochemistry kinds of experiments.

Remember – “If you always do what you have always done…You will always get what you have always got.”

Susquehanna University Mourns the Loss of Dr. Neil Potter

Susquehanna University lost the senior most member of the Department of Chemistry in August. Dr. Neil Potter was killed in an automobile accident as he was traveling for a fishing trip. Dr. Potter had been a member of the SU faculty for 35 years. During that time he dedicated himself to the service of the Department, the University, and the community. Neil’s love of chemistry and his devotion to the community will be sorely missed and impossible to replace.

Chris Janzen

Employment Opportunity - Biology Mobile Educator

Susquehanna University invites applications for the position of Biology Mobile Science Teacher to work for the Central Pennsylvania Basic Ed/Higher Education Science Partnership administered by Susquehanna University.

Duties include working with high school teachers in surrounding counties by visiting with a van equipped with modern biology and biochemistry equipment, aiding resident teachers in demonstrations and/or directing students in the use of this equipment, helping to coordinate day conferences and summer workshops for participating teachers, and maintaining the equipment and supplies in the van.

PA teaching certification in biology or related secondary science area required. Other qualifications include high school biology teaching experience and the ability to work successfully with teachers at all levels of career development. Previous experience in science outreach is desirable. This is a full-time twelve-month grant funded position. The contract ends on June 30, 2003 with one-year renewals possible contingent upon continued state funding. Please send a letter of interest, resume, and letters of reference to: Dr. Jan Reichard-Brown, Director, Science in Motion, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. SU is an EO/AA Employer.

Mike McDevitt, Chemistry Mobile Educator, Says…

Welcome back. I hope everyone had a great opening week of school. I realize it’s very early and some students may not be ready for some of the SIM experiments, however, some experiments involving temperature, heat capacity, endothermic vs. exothermic processes may fit into the early portion of the school year. Again, remember that we may have equipment to loan that may be appropriate…example: our .001 g balances. Also, we have lab manuals from the Vernier Company for you to peruse and use. We have them for Chemistry, Biology, Nuclear Science, Physical Science, Water Quality and Middle School Science. Contact me if they would be of use to you.

When scheduling the van, whether for visits or equipment drop-offs, please do not feel that you have a limited number of visits allotted to you and your students. If we can be of service, please call. I truly enjoy driving around Central Pennsylvania in the Fall and visiting teachers and their students. See you soon! McD

Chemistry Experiment of the Month

“Penetrating Ability of Beta and Gamma Radiation”

Utilizing a Dell Laptop and Vernier interface with a radiation monitor attached, students will be able to observe the relative penetrating abilities of Beta Radiation (Sr-90) and Gamma Radiation (Co-60) in several thicknesses of cardboard, plastic and lead.

Above is a sample graph that can be generated using Graphical Analysis, an easy to learn program for producing, analyzing and printing graphs.

If you wish to perform this experiment with your classes, Susquehanna University and Science in Motion will be able to provide as many as 8 lab stations and a wireless network with printer for your students in your laboratory. The entire experiment should require two class periods. For further information and additional experiments, go to the Science in Motion Web site at http://www.susqu.edu/sim or call the SIM office at 372-4779.

Science in Motion has a page on Blackboard

We have set-up a page in Susquehanna University’s Blackboard system for Science in Motion. We can post experiments or any other materials you require under course documents. Getting to blackboard is a little tricky but not bad. You can enter www.susqu.edu/blackboard on your web browser and it should take you there. If not go to www.susqu.edu and look in the menu options under Academics. When you get to the blackboard login page, login as a guest and click on the courses tab. You can then search for Science in Motion or we are listed under Biology and Chemistry. It is my idea that this site will be very teacher specific with experiment protocols and materials lists, while the Web site will have information that may be of use to the general public.

Are the vans only for students in the classroom?

You may schedule a van visit as part of a teacher in-service day. You may also schedule the use of the van and/or equipment for part of a special program or Science Day. Remember, this program is at no cost to the secondary schools. The more ways these resources are utilized the greater the benefit to the students in the valley. If your school has a Science Fair of individual student projects, you may arrange to borrow the equipment for your student to use. Our vans are also available for use by youth groups such as Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. Some schools have even invited the vans to participate in parades and other “events.”

Is the van a road show? No

This program is totally teacher driven. There are no pre-scheduled van visits. When you are ready to use a particular piece of equipment or do a series of experiments, call Melanie at (570) 372-4779 to schedule the mobile science teacher and/or the use of the equipment.

What if I don’t know what I need or how to use the equipment? ( I don’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of my students)

Call us! There are several ways we can help you. We can send the Mobile Educator to your school to meet with you and help you design the experiments that would work best for you. You can choose something from the Web site and have the Mobile Educator do it with your classes with you helping. We can come during an in-service day and teach you how to use the equipment.

What equipment is available?

Check our Web site for the complete list of equipment and experiments. We are continually adding to the list of available resources. At present we are trying to secure additional funding to provide 3 IR spectrometers for the chemistry van and two thermocylcers for the biology van. We have also purchased a variety of lab manuals to go with the different Vernier probe systems. The equipment list will also be available on Blackboard so you have it at hand when you are planning.

How do I find out more about the Science in Motion Program?

You have many options. You may phone us at Susquehanna University, 570-372-4779, e-mail us at sciencemotion@susqu.edu or check on the Web site at www.susqu.edu/sim.

Save a tree

If you wish to receive this newsletter in electronic format, please send us your e-mail address sciencemotion@susqu.edu or phone us at 372-4779.

Jan Reichard-Brown

Director, Science in Motion

570-372-4778 or reichardbrown@susqu.edu